[This is a reconstruction due to formating issue when the e-mail arrived at
my end. The items are taken from the TL gov't website. - JMM/ETAN]

UNMIT

(International news reports and extracts from national media. UNMIT does not
vouch for the accuracy of these reports)

Guterres: conditions are needed to establish rule of law

Vice Prime Minister José Luis Guterres has said that certain conditions are
needed to guarantee a democratic system. “We need to create conditions for all
institutions who take part in the State of Timor-Leste to guarantee a democratic
system,” said Mr. Guterres in his briefing at the inauguration of Dili
District Court office on Friday (13/6) in Dili.

Mr. Guterres said that the Government intends to create appropriate
conditions for the justice sector even though the justice sector is not
functioning well in many areas. He also said optimistically that the Government
has resolved many of the nation’s problems, such as IDPs, petitioners,
veterans and the elderly and will now turn its attention to improve the quality
of work.

(Suara Timor Lorosa’e )

Government signs reform of security sector with UNDP-RTL, 14 June

The Government has signed an agreement to reform the security sector with the
United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) until 2009. At the Government Palace
yesterday, PM Xanana Gusmão said during his speech that this support offered by
the UN to the Government will guarantee the sustainability of human development.
The PM added that this cooperation is a part of the overall support to the
Government in order to assist with the Government’s efforts to reform and the
development the security sector.

“The State of Timor Leste is a group which is collectively protected by the
President of the Republic, the National Parliament and the Government who pay
attention to the security in our country,” said the PM. The agreement of
cooperation was signed by the PM and the UNDP Representative.

This agreement will also help strengthen the capacity of both officials and
national authorities in the areas of foreign affairs, justice, customs,
intelligence, fishing protection, border control, natural disaster, finance,
maritime protection, health and the PNTL and F-FDTL. The Special Representative
of the Secretary-General Atul Khare said that the reform of security sector is a
step to reinforce and help this nation in establishing itself as a stronger
democratic nation and to promote human rights.

Ramos-Horta surprised at NP plans to create law to buy luxurious car

President José Ramos-Horta said he was surprised to hear that the National
Parliament (NP) is creating a law to justify the purchase of 65 luxurious cars
for each MP. “I do not accept this as people are still suffering,” said PR
Horta in a community dialogue on Friday (13/6) in sub-district Laleia, Manatuto.

The President suggested that it is good for the National Parliament to buy
cars for each bench or commissions and/or a mini bus for the daily
transportation of MPs. (Suara Timor Lorosa’e and Diario Nacional ).

UNDP supports security sector

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Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão signed an agreement between the
Government of Timor-Leste and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP to
formalize support for the security sector reform in Timor-Leste on Friday
(13/6).

The Review will encompass a comprehensive evaluation of the security sector
in order to support the Government’s efforts to reform and develop national
institutions. The Review will be carried out by national institutions with UN
assThe overall aim of the Review is to strengthen the nation’s ability to
protect itself, both internally and externally. It will do this by identifying
threats, proposing steps to ensure that the security architecture is able to
mitigate them, and by helping develop the capacity of public servants and
national authorities to implement those measures in accordance with the
democratic principles of law. istance.

The Review will allow the authorities of Timor-Leste to further the work they
have undertaken in the sector so far and to fine tune its national security
policy. It will also provide national authorities with the tools they require to
make informed decision in the implementation of this policy.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Timor-Leste
Atul said: “The review, reform and development of the security sector are
vital to strengthening institutions that can weather future crisis without
external assistance and that will help Timor-Leste establish itself as a strong
democracy, upholding the rule of law and promoting human rights.”

Furthermore, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG)
and UNDP Resident Representative Finn Reske-Nielsen said: “The reform of the
security sector is based on the fact that the stability of a nation and its
development go hand-in-hand. Without stability based on democratic principles
and firmly anchored in a respect for human rights, sustainable human development
can not be achieved.” (Suara Timor Lorosa’e )

State Secretary for Defense: 50 veterans to retire from F-FDTL by end of 2008

The State Secretary for Defense, Julio Tomas Pinto, said that at least 50
veterans have decided to retire from the F-FDTL by the end of 2008 and return to
civilian life as veterans. “Those veterans will receive a pension fund as has
been planned,” said Mr Pinto on Wednesday (11/06) in his office at
Palacio.(Timor Post )